GAME REPORT

Kalev Tallinn started the FIBA Euroleague season with a sour 61-87 loss to Greek club Maroussi.

Kalev managed to keep the score even for exactly eight minutes. Quick points from American guard Troy Coleman gave Kalev a 7-2 lead. Mark Shein added a three-pointer to make it 16-13 after eight minutes.

Straight three-pointers from Aleksandar Smiljanic and Prodromos Nikolaidis then gave Maroussi a lead for good. Two baskets from Georgios Karagoutis put the Greek team ahead 25-18 after the first quarter.

Game MVP Andre Hutson of Maroussi

Maroussi continued its domination on the second quarter thanks to a height advantage. 210 cm Ivan Grgat and 208 cm Karagoutis made Kalev pay for numerous turnovers making it 37-20 after five minutes. Maroussi led 47-30 at halftime and Kalev never made it closer than 16 points after that.

Grgat was the main hero in the second half. He scored 17 of his 25 points after the halftime.

Grgat was also the leading scorer of the game. Andre Hutson added 12 points, Roderick Blakney and Karagoutis both 10 points for the winners.